Paper post-processing device

Abstract

To provide a paper post-processing device by which recognition of divisions is facilitated by applying tab processing to paper sheets without using dedicated paper sheets when parts or sections of a printed matter are divided.SOLUTION: A paper post-processing device comprises conveying means, a tray and tab generating means. The conveying means conveys a paper sheet for applying tab processing. On the tray, the paper sheet conveyed by the conveying means is placed. The tab generating means processes so that a part of the paper sheet placed on the tray protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the paper sheet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a paper post-processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as a method for making the divisions of printed matter easier to understand, a dedicated division paper (hereinafter referred to as tab paper) has been inserted at the division position using an inserter or dedicated paper feeder provided in the paper output section of an MFP or printer. Specifically, the dedicated tab paper is set in the inserter or paper feeder, and inserted between the sheets of paper printed by the MFP or printer according to the user's tab paper insertion settings, and then discharged, thereby serving as a sheet indicating the division.

[0003] However, this had the problem of requiring the use of special paper called tab paper. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-047761 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a paper post-processing device that makes it easy to recognize divisions between copies or chapters of a printed material by applying tab processing to the paper without using special paper. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the paper post-processing device of the embodiment includes a conveying unit, A pair of waiting Tray , processing tray, and tab generating means. The transport means transports the paper to be subjected to tab processing. A pair of waiting The tray holds the paper conveyed by the conveying means. The paper is conveyed by dropping the paper by its own weight by moving the paper conveyors away from each other in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the paper by the conveying means. do. The processing tray is provided so that the sheets conveyed from the waiting tray can be stacked thereon and the stacked sheets can be stapled. The tab generation means stand-by A slit and a tongue portion punched out so as to be partially connected to the paper sheet placed on the tray are formed in the paper sheet, and the tongue portion is passed through the slit and processed so that the tongue portion protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the paper sheet. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of an image forming apparatus and a paper post-processing apparatus according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sheet post-processing device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is an image diagram of a sheet of paper on which tab processing has been performed according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a waiting tray and a processing tray according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus and the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a front-rear direction moving means in the tab generating means of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a left-right direction moving means in the tab generating means of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a fixing member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9(a)] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing the operation of a tab generating means according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9(b)] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing the operation of a tab generating means according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9(c)] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing the operation of a tab generating means according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 5 is a control flowchart of a tab generating unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a control block diagram of an image forming apparatus and a paper post-processing apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an operation unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a modification of the arrangement location of the tab generating means in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment for carrying out the invention will be described.

[0009] First Embodiment An image forming apparatus 1 and a sheet post-processing apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a front view of an image forming apparatus 1 and a sheet post-processing device 20 according to the first embodiment.

[0011] The image forming device 1 is, for example, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral), and includes a paper feed section 2, an image forming section 3, an operation input section 4, a reading section 5, a document feed section 6, and a main body control section 10. The paper feed section 2 includes, for example, a plurality of paper feed cassettes, each of which holds a sheet of paper on which an image is to be formed. The image forming section 3 forms an image on the sheet of paper fed from the paper feed section 2. The operation input section 4 accepts operation input from a user based on the display contents displayed on the screen. The reading section 5 reads a document and obtains image data. The document feed section 6 automatically transports the document to be read by the reading section. The main body control section 10 will be described later.

[0012] 1, the paper post-processing device 20 is located downstream of the image forming device 1 along the paper transport direction and is connected to the image forming device 1. The paper post-processing device 20 performs post-processing on the paper transported from the image forming device 1 and ejects the paper.

[0013] Next, the sheet post-processing device 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sheet post-processing device 20 of the first embodiment.

[0015] The sheet post-processing device 20 has a control unit 11, a first transport means 21, a second transport means 22, a waiting tray 24, a processing tray 25, a sheet discharge tray 26, a post-processing mechanism 28, a tab generating means 30, and a sensor S.

[0016] The sensor S is a collective term for the entrance sensor S1, the transport sensor S2, and the processing tray paper sensor S3.

[0017] The first transport means 21 has a pair of entrance rollers 211 that transports the paper transported from the image forming apparatus 1 to the paper post-processing device 20, and a pair of transport rollers 212 that transports the paper transported from the entrance rollers 211 to the waiting tray 24. In other words, the transport rollers 212 are disposed downstream of the entrance rollers 211 in the paper transport direction.

[0018] The second transport means 22 is provided on the processing tray 25 and transports the sheets stacked on the processing tray 25 to the sheet discharge tray 26 .

[0019] The standby tray 24 is a tray that receives the paper transported by the first transport means 21 before the processing tray 25, and is provided above the processing tray 25. Furthermore, the paper transported by the first transport means 21 may be transported to the processing tray 25 without passing through the standby tray 24 by an opening / closing mechanism (not shown) described later.

[0020] The processing tray 25 is a tray for stacking the paper sheets transported via the first transport means 21 or the waiting tray 24, and has the second transport means 22. That is, the processing tray 25 is provided downstream of the waiting tray 24 in the paper discharge direction.

[0021] The paper discharge tray 26 is a tray for stacking the paper discharged from the processing tray 25 by the second transport means 22. That is, the paper discharge tray 26 is provided downstream of the processing tray 25 in the paper discharge direction.

[0022] The post-processing mechanism 28 is, for example, a stapler unit, and is provided on the rear end side of the processing tray 25 in the paper transport direction, and is capable of stapling the rear end portion in the paper discharge direction of the paper stack aligned and loaded on the processing tray 25.

[0023] The tab generating means 30 is provided on the leading end side of the standby tray 24 in the transport direction of the paper transported to the standby tray 24. A detailed explanation of the tab generating means 30 and the tab processing will be given later, but the tab generating means 30 processes the paper P so that a part of the paper P protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the paper P. Fig. 3 is an image of a paper that has been processed by tab processing. That is, as shown in Fig. 3, a tongue portion 51, which is a part of the paper P, is woven into a slit 53 with a tongue root portion 52 as an axis, so that the tongue portion 51 protrudes from the outer periphery of the paper P. This protruding tongue portion 51 serves as a tab to mark the division.

[0024] Returning to FIG. 2, the sensor S will be described.

[0025] The sensors S include an entrance sensor S1, a transport sensor S2, and a processing tray paper sensor S3.

[0026] The entrance sensor S1 is provided downstream of the entrance rollers 211 in the paper transport direction, and is activated when the paper transported from the image forming apparatus 1 passes through the entrance rollers 211 to detect the transport of the paper from the image forming apparatus 1. The transport sensor S2 is provided downstream of the transport rollers 212 in the paper transport direction, and is activated when the paper transported from the entrance rollers 211 passes through the transport rollers 212 to detect the transport of the paper at the entrance of the waiting tray 24. The processing tray paper sensor S3 detects the presence or absence of paper on the processing tray 25. The means by which the sensor S detects the paper may be, for example, a physical sensor such as an actuator, or an optical sensor.

[0027] The control unit 11 will be described later.

[0028] Next, the second transport means 22, the waiting tray 24, the processing tray 25 and the tab generating means 30 will be described in detail.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the waiting tray 24 and the processing tray 25 according to the first embodiment.

[0030] The waiting tray 24 is made up of a pair of members, a first member 241 and a second member 242, and has an opening and closing mechanism (not shown).

[0031] The first member 241 and the second member 242 are moved in directions away from each other by an opening / closing mechanism provided in the standby tray 24. That is, as shown in Fig. 4, the first member 241 moves in the m direction, and the second member 242 moves in the n direction. This separation action causes the sheets stacked on the standby tray 24 to fall by their own weight, and the sheets are transported to the processing tray 25 provided below the standby tray 24. When tab processing is not performed by the tab generating means 30, the first member 241 and the second member 242 are held in an open state by the opening / closing mechanism, and the sheets do not have to pass through the standby tray 24 when they are stacked on the processing tray 25.

[0032] The processing tray 25 is a tray for stacking the sheets transported via the first transport means 21 or the waiting tray 24 as described above, and has the second transport means 22 .

[0033] The second conveying means 22 is composed of a pair of rollers 221 and a conveying belt 222. The conveying belt 222 is provided with a feed claw (not shown) for hooking and feeding the rear end of the paper. The second conveying means 22 conveys the paper stacked on the processing tray 25 to the paper output tray 26.

[0034] In the tab generating means 30, the pressing member 405 and the base 404 are rotatably fastened around a fastening shaft 406, forming a "<" shape. The paper P is inserted between the pressing member 405 and the base 404 in the portion formed in this "<" shape, and the pressing member 405 rotates around the fastening shaft 406 in a direction approaching the base 404 to fix the paper P and perform tab processing. Although the drive for the rotation is not shown, the pressing member 405 is configured to approach the base 404 by a general motor and drive cam.

[0035] Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 and the sheet post-processing apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus 1 and the sheet post-processing device 20 according to the first embodiment.

[0037] A main body control unit 10 provided in the image forming apparatus 1 is connected to a paper feed unit 2, an image forming unit 3, an operation input unit 4, a reading unit 5, and a document feed unit 6 via a bus 200.

[0038] The control unit 11 provided in the sheet post-processing device 20 is connected to the tab generating means 30 and the sensor S via a bus 200.

[0039] In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 and the paper post-processing device 20 are connected via a bus 200 between a first I / F (interface) 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 and a second I / F 13 of the paper post-processing device 20, and are connected to each of the above-mentioned units.

[0040] The first I / F 12 and the second I / F 13 are hardware interfaces. Communication between the image forming apparatus 1 and the sheet post-processing apparatus 20 is performed by serial communication using, for example, two lines, TxD (Transmit exchange Date) and Rxd (Received exchange Date).

[0041] Incidentally, the paper feed section 2, the image forming section 3, the operation input section 4, the reading section 5, the document feed section 6 and the sensor S have been described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0042] Next, the tab generating means 30 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0043] The tab generating means 30 has a front-rear moving means 300, a left-right moving means 310, and a stapleless stapling mechanism.

[0044] First, each moving mechanism of the tab generating means 30 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the front-rear direction moving means 300 in the tab generating means 30 of the first embodiment.

[0046] Here, the front-rear direction refers to the directions f and r shown in Fig. 6. In other words, the front-rear direction is a direction parallel to the sheet stacking surface of the sheet ejection tray 24 and perpendicular to the sheet ejection direction.

[0047] The forward / backward movement means 300 includes a forward / backward slide base 301 , a pinion gear 302 , a left / right slide base 311 , and a first motor 303 .

[0048] The front-rear slide base 301 is a rectangular parallelepiped member, and has a groove extending in the fr direction on the bottom surface thereof so as to penetrate the surface in the fr direction, and has a rack 304 on one of the surfaces on the side in the fr direction. The front-rear slide base 301 is installed on the left-right slide base 311 so that the rack 304 and the pinion gear 302 mesh with each other.

[0049] The left-right sliding base 311 is a box-shaped member with the top surface and the f-direction surface of a rectangular parallelepiped removed, and a convex portion corresponding to the groove of the front-rear sliding base 301 is provided on the inner bottom surface of the left-right sliding base 311. This convex portion serves as a guide when the front-rear sliding base 301 moves in the fr direction. In addition, a base hole 306 is provided at the installation location of the pinion gear 302 so as to overlap with a gear hole 305 of the pinion gear 302. By locating the installation locations of the base hole 306 and the pinion gear 302 as far as possible on the f direction side on the bottom surface of the left-right sliding base 311, the movement range of the tab generating means 30 in the fr direction can be extended.

[0050] Moreover, the amount of movement of the first motor 303 in the fr direction is determined by the amount of rotation of the motor.

[0051] For example, if the first motor 303 is a pulse motor, the stop position is determined by the number of input steps, and if it is a DC motor, the stop position is determined by the relationship between the home position, an optical sensor that detects the movement position, and a flag.

[0052] The first motor 303 is connected to the pinion gear 302 via a base hole 306 provided in the left-right slide base 311, and is driven by the control unit 11. The forward or reverse rotation drive of the first motor 303 is transmitted to the front-rear slide base 301 via the pinion gear 302, causing the front-rear slide base 301 to move on the left-right slide base 311, and therefore the tab generating means 30 can move in the f and r directions.

[0053] Next, the left-right direction moving means 310 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0054] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the left-right direction moving means 310 in the tab generating means 30 of the first embodiment.

[0055] 8 is a perspective view showing a fixing member 316 of the first embodiment. However, the left-right sliding base 311 is shown in a see-through manner. Also, the tooth profile 317 of the timing belt 314 is not shown.

[0056] Here, the left-right direction refers to the d and u directions shown in Fig. 7. In other words, the left-right direction refers to a direction parallel to the sheet stacking surface of the sheet ejection tray 24 and parallel to the sheet ejection direction.

[0057] The left-right movement means 310 includes a left-right slide base 311 , a slide shaft 312 , pulleys 313 a and 313 b , a timing belt 314 , and a second motor 315 .

[0058] In addition to the configuration described above, part of the du-direction surface of the left-right slide base 311 protrudes perpendicularly from the bottom surface, and the protruding surface is provided with a recess for passing the slide shaft 312. Also, a fixing member 316 shown in Fig. 8 is provided on the outer bottom surface of the left-right slide base 311. The fixing member 316 is provided so as to mesh with teeth 317 of the timing belt 314, and is fixed by a fixing plate 318 and a screw 319 so as to sandwich the timing belt 314.

[0059] 7, the slide shaft 312 is a cylindrical member, and the left-right slide base 311 is slidably provided on the upper part of the slide shaft 312. The slide shaft 312 serves as a guide when the left-right slide base 311 moves in the du direction.

[0060] The timing belt 314 is an endless belt-like member having teeth 317 formed on the inside thereof. A part of the timing belt 314 is fixed to the lower part of the left-right sliding base 311 by a fixing member 316 and a fixing plate 318, and pulleys 313a and 313b are provided so as to mesh with the teeth 317.

[0061] The second motor 315 is connected to the pulley 313b and is driven by the control unit 11. The forward or reverse rotation drive of the second motor 315 is transmitted to the timing belt 314 and pulley 313a via the pulley 313b. The drive of the timing belt 314 is transmitted to the left-right slide base 311 by a fixed member 316 fixed to the tooth profile 317, and drives the left-right slide base 311 to slide on the slide shaft 312. This enables the tab generating means 30 to move in the d and u directions.

[0062] Moreover, the amount of movement of the second motor 315 in the du direction is determined by the amount of rotation of the motor.

[0063] For example, if the second motor 315 is a pulse motor, the stop position is determined by the number of input steps, and if it is a DC motor, the stop position is determined by the relationship between the home position, an optical sensor that detects the movement position, and a flag.

[0064] Next, the structure of the tab generating means 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Figs. 9(a) to (c) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the tab generating means 30 of the first embodiment. These three drawings are views viewed in the u direction shown in Fig. 7. That is, they are cross-sectional views of the tab generating means 30 when viewed from the downstream side to the upstream side in the transport direction of the paper transported to the waiting tray 24.

[0065] Here, the tab generating means 30 of this embodiment has a structure using a known technology disclosed in, for example, JP 2013-047761 A. That is, the tab generating means 30 of this embodiment has a stapleless stapler mechanism that can staple a stack of paper without using stapler staples.

[0066] As shown in Fig. 9(a), the tab generating means 30 has a solenoid 401, a spring 402, a base 403, a base 404, a pressing member 405, a punching member 420, a protruding portion 421, and a blade 423. The solenoid 401 is, for example, a push-type solenoid, and when driven, moves so that a pusher 407 protrudes, as shown in Figs. 9(a) and 9(b). The solenoid 401 is controlled by the control unit 11, and applies a force in a direction in which the base 403 approaches the base 404. The spring 402 applies a force to the base 403 in a direction opposite to the force generated when the solenoid 401 is activated. In other words, the spring 402 applies a force in a direction in which the base 403 moves away from the base 404. The base 404 and the pressing member 405 are provided so as to be parallel to each other, and the sheet P which is transported by the first transport means 21 and is to be tabbed by the tab generating means 30 is sandwiched between the base 404 and the pressing member 405 .

[0067] Here, as shown in FIG. 9( a ), the punching member 420 extends from the base 403 toward the base 404 .

[0068] Punching member 420 has protrusion 420a at one end and raised portion 420d at the other end, protrusion 420a protruding toward blade 423. Punching member 420 has pivot shaft 420b at the other end and is tiltable about pivot shaft 420b so that protrusion 420a approaches blade 423. In addition, punching portion 420c is provided at one end opposite to the side where pivot shaft 420b is provided.

[0069] Protruding portion 420d is provided so as to protrude along the direction of extension from base 403 to base 404, and sinks in front of protruding portion 421. In addition, in the direction of extension from base 404 to base 403, the edge portion between the starting point of protruding portion 420d and the point where the height of the protrusion is maximum is curved, which is curved portion 420e.

[0070] The protruding portion 421 is formed integrally with the pressing member 405, and extends toward the base portion 403. Also, the protruding portion 421 is provided at a position where it comes into contact with the curved surface portion 420e when the tab generating means 30 is driven.

[0071] The blade 423 is a plate-like member having a rectangular hole 423 a and a tip 423 b that tapers toward the base 404 at one end.

[0072] Next, the operation of the tab generating means 30 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9(b) to FIG. 9(c).

[0073] FIG. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view of the tab generating means 30 of the first embodiment when it is driven.

[0074] FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the tab processing operation of the tab generating means 30 of the first embodiment.

[0075] First, the control unit 11 sends a signal to drive the solenoid 401. As shown in Fig. 9(b), the solenoid 401 is driven to push the base 403 down so as to approach the pressing member 405, and accordingly, the punching member 420 and the blade 423 are pushed down together. At this time, the blade 423 penetrates the paper P to form a slit 53, and the punching member 420 punches out the paper P leaving a tongue root 52, forming an integral tongue portion 51 in the paper P.

[0076] Furthermore, by pressing down the punching member 420, the curved surface portion 420e comes into contact with the protruding portion 421. The punching member 420 rotates about the pivot shaft 420b in a direction in which the protruding portion 420a approaches the blade 423, and thus the protruding portion 420d tilts so as to ride on the protruding portion 421. During the tilting process, the punching member 420 passes the tongue portion 51 through the hole portion 423a.

[0077] The control unit 11 releases the drive of the solenoid 401, and the spring 402 lifts the base 403 away from the holding member 405. At this time, the tongue 51 passing through the hole 423a is lifted together with the blade 423, and as shown in Fig. 9(c), the tongue 51 is woven into the slit 53 with the tongue root 52 as an axis. The tongue 51 woven into the slit 53 and protruding outward from the outer periphery of the paper P serves as a tab to mark the division (see Fig. 3).

[0078] Next, the control of the sheet post-processing device 20 when a job is executed will be described.

[0079] FIG. 10 is a control flow chart of the sheet post-processing device 20 of the first embodiment.

[0080] Here, a job in this embodiment refers to a series of processes leading up to the creation of a paper stack including tab delimiters.

[0081] In addition, since the control of the sheet post-processing device 20 will be described here, the processing of the sheet P by the image forming device 1 will be omitted.

[0082] First, the main body control unit 10 accepts a job via a PC (Personal Computer) or the operation input unit 4 (not shown).

[0083] If the paper transported from the image forming device 1 to the paper post-processing device 20 is not a division of a printed product (ACT61, NO), the control unit 11 controls the paper to be transported to the processing tray 25 (ACT64). At this time, the paper may or may not pass through the standby tray 24.

[0084] If the paper P transported from the image forming device 1 to the paper post-processing device 20 is a division of a printed product (ACT61, YES), the control unit 11 controls the paper P to be transported to the waiting tray 24 (ACT62). After that, the control unit 11 moves the tab generating means 30 to a predetermined position by the front-rear direction moving means 300 and the left-right direction moving means 310, and performs tab processing on the paper P on the waiting tray 24 (ACT63).

[0085] The tab-processed sheet P is transported from the standby tray 24 to the processing tray 25 by its own weight by the opening / closing mechanism of the standby tray 24 (ACT64).

[0086] Next, the paper on the processing tray 25 is transported to the paper output tray 26 by the second transport means 22 (ACT65). Note that in ACT65, if the paper loaded on the processing tray 25 is a single sheet that constitutes a stack of sheets to be stapled by the post-processing mechanism 28, the control unit 11 may make the paper wait on the processing tray until all sheets that constitute the stack of sheets are loaded. Then, after the staple processing of the stack of sheets is completed, the stack of sheets is transported to the paper output tray 26.

[0087] When the accepted job is completed (ACT66, YES), the control of the sheet post-processing device 20 is terminated.

[0088] In ACT66, if the accepted job is not completed (ACT66, NO), the control of the sheet post-processing device 20 continues.

[0089] In addition, in the sheet post-processing device 20 of this embodiment, while processing a specific sheet, processing of the next sheet may be executed in parallel.

[0090] In addition, in the tab process, the position where the tab generating means 30 tabs the sheet P does not have to be always constant with respect to other sheets P. In other words, it may be possible to tab the sheet P within a range where the tab generating means 30 can be moved using the front-rear direction movement means 300 and the left-right direction movement means 310. By adjusting the position of the tab of the sheet P to be tabbed, when multiple sheets P that have been tabbed are stacked, each sheet P can be easily distinguished by the tabs at different positions.

[0091] In the first embodiment, the tab process is performed on the standby tray 24. Therefore, even if sheets are stacked on the processing tray 25, the tab process can be performed at the stage when the sheets P are stacked on the standby tray 24, and there is no need to wait until the sheets stacked on the processing tray 25 are transported to the paper discharge tray 26.

[0092] In addition, since the paper can be transported to the processing tray 25 by the opening and closing mechanism immediately after tab processing on the standby tray 24, the next paper to be discharged does not get caught on the tab formed on the paper P, and the paper P is not unintentionally pushed out or a paper jam occurs.

[0093] Therefore, the first embodiment in which the tab processing is performed on the waiting tray 24 is the best embodiment.

[0094] Second Embodiment The image forming apparatus 1 and the sheet post-processing device 20 in the second embodiment are different from those in the first embodiment in that the sheet post-processing device 20 is provided with an operation unit 60. Note that, among the components of the second embodiment in Fig. 11, the same components as those in the control block diagram of the first embodiment in Fig. 5 are denoted by the same symbols.

[0095] FIG. 11 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus 1 and the sheet post-processing device 20 according to the second embodiment.

[0096] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that an operation unit 60 is added to the configuration shown in FIG.

[0097] The operation unit 60 is connected to the control unit 11, the tab generating means 30, the sensor S, and the second I / F 13 via the bus 200. The operation unit 60 is also connected to the first I / F 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 via the bus 200 and the second I / F 13, and is connected to the paper feed unit 2, the image forming unit 3, the operation input unit 4, the reading unit 5, the document feed unit 6, and the main body control unit 10, respectively.

[0098] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an operation unit 60 according to the second embodiment.

[0099] The operation unit 60 shown in Fig. 12 is composed of, for example, physical keys. When a user presses a physical key, the control unit 11 controls the tab generating means 30 to execute tab processing. This allows the post-sheet processing device 20 of the second embodiment to perform tab processing at any timing selected by the user. The operation unit 60 is provided, for example, on the front surface or upper surface of the post-sheet processing device 20, and may be composed of a touch pad.

[0100] One advantage of being able to manually drive the tab generating means 30 is that, for example, even if the sheet P to be tabbed does not pass through a transport path, the user can directly set the sheet P on the tab generating means 30 and operate the operation unit 60 to perform tab processing on the sheet P. In addition, since the tab generating means 30 utilizes the mechanism of a stapleless stapler, which is a well-known technology, it is possible to staple a stack of sheets by setting the stack and performing tab processing.

[0101] (Modification) FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a modification of the location of the tab generating means 30 in this embodiment.

[0102] In the first embodiment described above, as shown in Fig. 4, the tab generating means 30 is provided downstream of the first member 241 in the paper discharge direction, but it may be provided on the opposing second member 242 side. Also, as shown in Fig. 13, the tab generating means 30 may be provided downstream of the second transport means 22 of the processing tray 25 in the paper discharge direction, and the paper post-processing device 20 may not be equipped with the standby tray 24.

[0103] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, by tab processing the paper P using the tab generating means 30, a part of the paper P becomes a marker for the division, making it possible to easily recognize the divisions in the printed matter without using tab paper to divide the printed matter.

[0104] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 20...Paper post-processing device 21... First conveying means 22....Second conveying means 24 Waiting tray 25 Processing tray 30. Tab generation means 60...Operation unit (operation means) 300....Forward / rearward movement means 310...Left and right movement means

Claims

1. A conveying means for conveying paper; a pair of waiting trays on which the paper conveyed by the conveying means is placed and which move away from each other in a direction perpendicular to the paper conveying direction by the conveying means to drop the paper by its own weight and convey the paper; a processing tray that is provided to stack the sheets transported from the standby tray and to be capable of stapling the stacked sheets; a tab generating means for forming a slit and a tongue portion punched out so as to be connected to a part of the paper sheet placed on the waiting tray, passing the tongue portion through the slit, and processing the paper sheet so that the tongue portion protrudes outward from an outer periphery of the paper sheet; A paper post-processing device having the same.

2. 2. The sheet post-processing device according to claim 1, wherein the tab generating means is movable in a sheet transport direction parallel to a loading surface of the waiting tray.

3. 3. The sheet post-processing device according to claim 1, wherein the tab generating means is movable parallel to a loading surface of the waiting tray along a direction perpendicular to a transport direction of the sheet.

4. An operating means provided in the paper post-processing device; a control unit that executes the tab generating unit based on an operation on the operation unit; The sheet post-processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

5. 5. The sheet post-processing device according to claim 1, wherein when processing is performed by the tab generating means, processing is performed on a single sheet of paper loaded on the waiting tray.

Images